Wondering Around Kota Kinabalu

Happy Independence Day of Malaysia. (Lama peram post nih)

Sabah is one of the most promising tourism spot in Malaysia. It's known for its famous diving spot, its jungle, wildlife and also the majestic Gunung Kinabalu; which is known as the highest in mountain in Malaysia. It's biggest and the state capital, Kota Kinabalu also one of the must visit location for those enjoy the rich culture of Borneo.

Here something what should you know about Kota Kinabalu.

1. It has a marvelous sunset.
    Top 3 best spot to see sunset in KK (my opinion lah)

 Sutera Harbour naval dock

Jesselton  Point jetty

Tanjung Aru beach

Belanja satu lagi...Along roadsite paddy field garden, penampang

2. What to eat? And where?
Seafood of course...the problem is which place offers good and reasonable price?

People always roaming at the Philippines market expecting a decent seafood meal with an affordable price. For me one of the best offer you can get is Gayang seafood but due to its location which is nearly 30km from the heart of KK sometimes it's not worth a try. Taking a cab to Gayang Seafood which is located at Sepanggar might cost you RM 50 to 60  per trip unless you got a bunch of people sharing it with you.

 Grilled Chicken at Upper Star Cafe & Bar 

Siput tarik at seafood restaurant...where?i forgot but most of the seafood restaurant serve this

 Most famous KK milky tea...served at Yoyo Cafe

Wan Wan restaurant fish tom yam mee 

Its a little bit hard to find local traditional dishes due they usually cook it during special occasion but from my observation you can get it (local traditional cuisine) at one of the stalls located at Grace Court and the other restaurant Is located next to the one and only 'rumah terbalik' in Malaysia.

3. Transportation
 Transportation is a little disaster in KK. Its better to rent a motorbike, car or do some walking to get around.Luckily KK town is a walk able place which is you can walk from point to the end of the main city. The crime rate in KK is extremely low except you went to the black area, risky places alone or you are extremely drunk and starting to piss people around you.

One of the attraction in KK is the North Borneo Railway's train. Heading from Tg. Aru to Papar town will take half day plus some local visit to places nearby. The only thing will stop you is the fare is too expensive (for a domestic traveler like me) which is RM290 for an adult and RM130 per children for a trip. See...melancong di Malaysia memang sangat mahal.

4. Cultural Village
There are a few cultural village at KK.
a. Monsopiad Cultural Village
b. Mari-mari Cultural Village

Err..for me these cultural villages are overrated and overpriced...some of them even charged you around RM 80 per person per entry...(you only pay USD 20 (RM 65) to enter Angkor Watt complexes , around RP 200k (RM 60) for Borobudur and Prambanan.) 30 TL (RM60) for Hagia Sophia (which I didnt enter)?So dont you think it's a little bit over?4 a budget traveller like me...

5. Night life
There are hundreds of pubs and karaoke for you to hang around. For those who want to get wasted KK is the right place. They say 2nd best after Labuan.

6. Weekend

Every Sunday there are a morning market known as Tamu Gaya located along Gaya street. It starts as early as 6 am until 12 noon. You can find interesting things to see and buy such as local merchandise and cuisine as well at nearby restaurant along the road.

 Gaya Street on sunday morning

This graffiti walls located at the end of Gaya street in front of Suria Sabah shopping mall

7. Water Activities
Your visit to Kota Kinabalu incomplete without visiting the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park which consist group of islands located nearby, around 5 to 8 km from the Jesselton Point. (Ferry jetty to these islands.) What to do? Island hopping, snorkeling, scuba diving,world longest island to island zipline and many more.

 While waing at Mamutik Island

Nemo at one of the dive site at Tunku Abdul Rahman's  National Park

If you are looking 4 a budget accomodation, the are plenty of hostels located at the heart of Kota Kinabalu city. One of the most famous location is Jalan Dewan, near the Dewan Masyarakat Kota Kinabalu.

8. City Tour
Kota Kinabalu possess some interesting places you should visit. Don't go back without visiting these places :

Signal Hill Observation platform - from this point you can see part of KK city.
Tun Mustapha building - an iconic building in KK
Atkinson Clock Tower - a historic memorial
Filipino Market - for those who like to buy souvenir or seafood
Masjid terapung or the city mosque - one of the most beautiful mosque in Malaysia


There are many more to mention as Kota Kinabalu is a very interesting place to visit and to live. Look for the hospitality of its people and you wont regret it.

Chiau